Conclusion: Towards a new web of rules

In this concluding chapter, we draw together the various contributions presented in this volume, discuss the broader implications of our findings, and reflect on how this builds upon Willy Brown's work. The chapter examines how the patchwork of rules has been altered by new and emerging challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of global supply chains and new forms of business. We return to the central objective of this volume of identifying and analysing the viability of various institutions for addressing these challenges and discuss how these might form the basis of a new web of rules for protecting labour standards in the future. © 2023 by Emerald Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

Patients with interstitial lung disease are high-risk of COVID-19 morbidity with implications on access to early oral anti-viral treatments

Introduction/Aim: Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection associated morbidity and mortality, and hence may benefit from early anti-viral therapy. The access criteria for early oral anti-viral therapies for COVID-19 varied in early 2022 due to limited supplies nationally. We created a live clinical database of ILD patients in a tertiary hospital setting, stratifying them by measurable risk factors and therefore accessibility by state or national criteria to anti-viral therapy. Method(s): A list of active ILD clinic patients was generated from the WEBPAS clinic database. Data on patient demographics, co-morbidities and immunosuppressive medications relevant to access to anti-viral medications via the PBS criteria and state-based criteria was gathered by medical records review. Demographic information included age, BMI, ethnicity, residential care living and rurality. Co-morbidity risk factors included congestive cardiac failure, neurological disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic lung disease and immunodeficiencies. Medications of relevance included glucocorticoids, steroid-sparing immunomodulators and chemotherapy. Combinations of the above risk factors equate to eligibility to treatment. Result(s): Between the data capture dates of 1 February 2021 and 31 January 2022, 526 patients were identified. Of these 457 fit the inclusion criteria. Median age was 71.4 years (range 20-92), ratio of F:M was 1.09. 11% of patients were on long term oxygen therapy. Commonest conditions were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (26.3%), connective-tissue disease ILD (18%) and sarcoidosis (13.4%). 92 (20%) of patients fit into 'moderate or severely immunocompromised' criteria. 346 (75%) of patients fit criteria for early anti-virals by the first iteration of PBS criteria. Using the second iteration of PBS criteria, 374 (82%) of the ILD patients fit criteria for early anti-viral treatment. Notably, some patients qualify for anti-virals on multiple eligibility PBS criteria. Conclusion(s): A large proportion of our ILD cohort is deemed 'high risk' for COVID-19 morbidity and would qualify for early anti-viral therapies (regardless of vaccination status).

COVID-19 in Mass Media: Manufacturing Mass Perceptions of the Virus among Older Adults

According to the latest The Global Risks Report (2022) of World Economic Forum, the large-scale coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat creates various tensions that might lead to unexpected cascading impacts in various domains. Nevertheless, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, about 120 nm in diameter, remains invisible to people whose cognition, emotions, and health-related behaviors are driven primarily by the subjective perception of the virus. Mass media communicating information, symbols, beliefs, and codes of conduct to the population contribute widely to the socially constructed representations of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thus, the aim of the current research is to investigate the impacts of the common COVID-19 mass media image of the "ball with spikes"representing the SARS-CoV-2 virus on older adults particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus disease and fake news dissemination. This research is based on an innovative mixed-methods research design that combines questionnaires (N = 144), semi-structured research interviews, and pictographic measures (N = 26). The primary results demonstrate that individuals' perceptions of and emotional reactions to the invisible SARS-CoV-2 virus are shaped by mass media exposure, as the "ball with spikes"became a familiar symbol of the COVID-19 virus, marked by the symbolism of dangerousness and mystery with a divisive aesthetic. The current research that aims to highlight the role of mass media as the vector of an icon image of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus provides additional elements that may contribute to improved crisis management effectiveness of future pandemic outbreaks. © 2023 the author(s), published by De Gruyter.

Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium: Developing a Comprehensive Virtual Educational Platform for Breast Imaging Fellows

Creating a comprehensive didactic curriculum for breast imaging fellows can be a demanding undertaking, especially considering that most breast practices are understaffed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid rising clinical volumes. This leaves little time for didactic education. In this article, we present our approach to creating a collaborative weekly multidisciplinary didactic lecture series involving multiple institutions, using the Society of Breast Imaging's suggested fellowship curriculum as the foundation. We discuss the advantages for both trainees and faculty, including fostering camaraderie, networking, and engagement among breast imaging fellows. Faculty have the opportunity for professional development by leveraging their clinical expertise through selecting didactic topics in their niche. This creates a pathway for speaking faculty to be recognized as regional and national experts.

The role of user centric measures in the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)

Purpose Health authorities have introduced non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) with the aim of reducing the spread of viruses. Against the backdrop of social marketing, normative and utility theories, the purpose of the paper is to examine the relationships between user centric measures such as perceived effectiveness, user satisfaction, and value for effort on intentions to continue to use NPIs. Furthermore, the moderating role of value for effort on user satisfaction and, subsequently, intentions to continue to use NPIs was also considered. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional online survey was completed in British Columbia, Canada (N = 287). Analysis was done with partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The results show that the relationships between user centric measures are positive and significant on intentions to continue to use NPIs. Furthermore, value for effort moderated the relationship between user satisfaction and intentions to continue to use NPIs - but the relationship was negative. Thus, the higher values of the value for effort construct cause the relationship between user satisfaction and reuse intention to somewhat diminish. Originality/value The results confirm the positive and significant relationships between user centric measures in the context of the use of NPIs and introduce a new understanding of the effect of value for effort on the relationship between user satisfaction and intentions to use NPIs. This enables health officials to better understand how to encourage the use of NPIs.

An optical visualization of free virions for revealing the first public enemy

Viruses are unseen enemies which tend to disarmingly spread from person-to-person, therefore causing health damages and weakens the immunity system. Their invisibility give rise to various representations, projections and imaginations that allow laypeople to tame the unseen and intangible nature of viruses. For the first time to our knowledge, we are proposing a novel and uncommon scientific approach resting on the synergy between two scientific field: Technical Sciences & Medicine (TSM) with Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). Therefore, we present the results of our investigations concerning the evaluation of the social impact of the scientific image of free virions on a specific population, particularly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic: people over 60 years old. For this research, we have implemented two scientific imaging solutions to visualize the free viral particles of SARS-CoV-2. The first one is a standard solution of electron microscopy and the second one is an optical and computational solution of microscopy. The scientific representations of SARS-CoV-2 that we have proposed is in fact highly different from the mass media image that we can see everywhere. Concerning the targeted population, we have demonstrated that the scientific image has a negative impact on the population. Thus, the socially constructed representations of these invisible enemies have a preponderant role in driving laypeople’s emotional reactions and health-related behaviors. Therefore, imaging viruses remains a critical scientific effort that contributes irrevocably to alleviate laypeople’s misrepresentations of these invisible enemies. © 2022 SPIE

The impact of social influence on perceived usefulness and behavioral intentions in the usage of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)

Purpose: Against the backdrop of the technology acceptance model (TAM), theory of reasoned action, and social impact theory the purpose of this research is to examine the validity of the TAM and assess the impact of social influence on the usage of NPIs in order to determine how best to encourage people to engage in the use of NPIs. Design/methodology/approach: A survey instrument was used to gather data with a snowball sampling method from Canadian respondents. The survey questionnaire items were adapted from existing literature. Data analysis was done using PLS-SEM. Findings: The results indicate that the TAM framework is applicable in the context of the use of NPIs with the COVID-19 outbreak as all TAM relationships were positive and significant. In addition, the results show a positive and significant impact of social influence on perceived usefulness, attitudes, and behavioral intentions towards the usage of NPIs. Thus, social forces can be considered relevant when understanding the adoption of technology. Originality/value: This research gives a better understanding of how social influence impacts adoption of behavior, such as the use of NPIs, and can be used to support the use of NPIs to decrease the spreading of viruses.

Entrepreneurs responding to the COVID-19 crisis: evidence from Ireland

The aim of this paper is to explore the impact that the initial stages of the COVID-19 crisis had on entrepreneurs. We present the experiences of fifteen entrepreneurs. The data was collected, using interviews. We focus on the impact that the temporary business closures which were introduced had on the entrepreneurs' ability and propensity to continue. The interviews took place during a period of great uncertainty for the entrepreneurs and at times when their availability was extremely limited. We present data characterising the entrepreneurs;their experience during a time of crisis;and the enablers and disablers to the continuation of their entrepreneurial journey. Our analysis is based on four themes from the literature: the psychological wellbeing of the entrepreneurs;their changing attitudes to entrepreneurship;the changes they made to their business;and the supports that they needed. The outcome is novel insights into the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD AND CORD TISSUE MESENCHYMAL STROMAL CELLS IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Background & Aim: Umbilical cord blood (CB) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have shown safety in children with cerebral palsy (CP). While early phase clinical trials suggest potential functional benefit, small sample sizes, heterogeneous populations, and variable cell doses have impaired accurate assessment of motor gains following treatment. Aim: Describe change in gross motor function in young children with CP after treatment with high-dose allogeneic unrelated donor CB or allogeneic, third party human cord tissue-derived MSC (hCT-MSC) 12 months post treatment. Methods, Results & Conclusion: We conducted a phase 2 randomized trial of 90 children ages 2-4 years with hypertonic CP due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, periventricular leukomalacia, or in utero stroke/bleed. Randomization, stratified by etiology and severity (Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level), was to: (a) 10×107 total nucleated cells (TNC)/kg allogeneic CB at baseline, (b) three doses of 2×106 cells/kg hCT-MSC given at baseline, 3, and 6 months, or (c) Natural History in which 10×107 TNC/kg allogeneic CB was given at one year. Infusions were intravenous and premedicated with diphenhydramine and methylprednisolone without immunosuppression. Primary outcome was change in motor function one-year post enrollment, measured by the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). Ninety children (median 3.5 years) were randomized and completed baseline and 6-month evaluations. Due to the COVID pandemic, only 68 completed 12-month assessments. The only adverse events (AEs) related to the cell products were 8 transient infusion reactions (3 CB, 5 hCT-MSC). An additional 95 non-severe AEs and 33 severe AEs were unrelated to the products. At 6 months, there was no statistical difference in change in GMFM-66 scores between Natural History (n=31) and either treatment group (CB n=31, hCTMSC n=28). At 12 months, after adjustment for baseline GMFCS level, GMFM-66 score, and etiology of CP, the mean GMFM-66 score of the hCT- MSC group (n=23) was 1.4 points higher than Natural History (n=25;95% CI: -1.1, 4.0;p=0.27) and the CB group (n=20) was 3.3 points higher than Natural History (95% CI: 0.59, 5.93;p=0.02). High dose allogeneic CB, but not hCT-MSC, infusion is associated with gross motor improvement in young children with CP, consistent with the dose effect in a prior study of autologous CB. A phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled study should be performed to confirm the CB observation.

The use of video to maximise cooking skills

Purpose The aim of this research is to examine the impact of video-based learning on the cooking skills development of students. More specifically, exploring the first stages in the learning process through embedding declarative knowledge utilising both video content and learner profiles, with the purpose to make teaching practice more effectively and efficiently targeted. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative social experimental approach was employed. The sample consisted of 414 students from three post primary schools in Northern Ireland. Students were randomly allocated into both control and experimental video content groups. All participants were made aware of ethical procedures and the nature of the study. Findings Through the application of latent class analysis (LCA), three distinct types of students were classified. Class one (n = 250) students were termed independent learners, class two (n = 88) students were motivated and benefited from video-based learning and class three (n = 52) students demonstrated an inability to apply information because video did not assist in embedding declarative knowledge. Research limitations/implications Implications from this research inform content generation for video-based cooking skills. Practical implications Given the unprecedented move towards online teaching in 2020 due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions, there is increasing interest in targeting resources effectively to meet the requirements of all learning groups. This paper fulfils an identified need to study how video impacts on skills development and learning within specific learning typologies. Originality/value This research will be of interest to educationalists in promoting a cost-effective resource in line with constructivist values to streamline and meet the needs of individual learners.